Our people

Principals

Merilyn Alt

Merilyn worked for the Commonwealth and NSW Governments for 14 years, prior to becoming a consultant in 1990. During the 1980s, Merilyn was director of Employment Programs for the NSW Ministry of Employment. In that role she was responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of NSW’s employment programs and for leading staff in five offices across NSW. Previously Merilyn worked in policy and planning roles in public transport, urban and regional development and environment and planning.

Merilyn was a member of the Equal Opportunity Division of the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal from 1992 to 2005; a director of the Board of the State Rail Authority from 1997 to 1999; a member of the Premier’s Council for Women from 1995 to 1997 and of the NSW Pay Equity Task Force in 1996/97. Merilyn was Chair of the Council of Wesley College at the University of Sydney from 2005 to 2007.

Prior to this she worked for the Commonwealth Government (1975–1985) and the NSW Government (1985-1991). She was recruited to the Commonwealth as an Administrative Trainee and subsequently worked for the former Social Welfare Commission and the former Departments of Social Security and Community Services. Her last Australian Government role was the director responsible for national planning, research, policy development and administration of centre and family-based child care.

In 1985, Dianne moved to the New England area of NSW, and was responsible for the regional development of services for aged people and people with a disability, including those funded under the then new Home and Community Care (HACC) program. Dianne continues to be based in the New England and sustains a portfolio of rural and regional work through her consulting practice.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Natural Resources Hons (UNE)
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (UNE)
Certificate III in Quality Management for Business Excellence